Avoid open conflict

V ibes has become a ubiquitous word in the past half decade, one many people now reach for when describing the distinct emotion given off by a place, or a thing. It is the prevailing shorthand for a cultural atmosphere, mood, and zeitgeist. Vibe talk has also entered politics. In this magazine in 2021, Derek Thompson invited readers to think of politics as a “ vibes war .” This spring, again in these pages, David A. Graham argued that John Fetterman won the Democratic Senate primary for Pennsylvania less on policy than “ on vibes .” And Rolling Stone pronounced that Fetterman was “neither centrist nor a progressive. He’s a vibe.” To the political commentator Will Stancil , “‘vibes’ is the idea that politics is rooted in and governed by mass psychology, which makes political behavior intrinsically difficult (and sometimes impossible) to model as a series of quantifiable inputs and predictable outputs, the approach favored by econometrically-inclined disciplines.” In … [Read more...] about The Origin of Vibes

Facebook users in Iraq are exploiting the platform's lack of Arabic and Kurdish-language moderation policies in order to purchase guns online, according to a report. The study by the Institute of Strategic Dialogue (ISD) has found that the sale of weapons in Iraq is "rife" in Facebook comment sections. Social media giants have long been accused of failing to effectively moderate harmful and dangerous content, particularly in regions such as the Middle East. Meta — the parent company of Facebook — has fewer resources to tackle content in various languages and dialects than in English. The lack of moderation in Arabic and Kurdish has created an open gun market on Facebook in Iraq, said Moustafa Ayad, the ISD Executive Director for Africa, Middle East & Asia. "It was relatively easy to find weapons for sale on comments sections of very large Facebook pages, pages with over 2 million followers," Ayad told Euronews. According to his research, some of the … [Read more...] about Why the sale of guns on Facebook in Iraq is so ‘rife’

Germany's chancellor Olaf Scholz slammed Mahmoud Abbas after the Palestinian president accused Israel of committing “50 Holocausts”. Scholz said on Twitter that he was "disgusted by the outrageous remarks” made by Abbas in Berlin on Tuesday. Abbas had refused to condemn the deadly attack by Palestinian militants on Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Instead, Abbas said he could point to “50 Holocausts” by Israel since 1947. Scholz was widely criticised for not challenging Abbas’ comments immediately at the press conference and merely grimacing at the remark. Germany's chancellor had earlier rejected Abbas' comment that Israel’s treatment of Palestinians is “apartheid". "For us Germans, in particular, any relativisation of the singularity of the Holocaust is intolerable and unacceptable," he later wrote on Twitter . "I condemn any attempt to deny the crimes of the Holocaust.” Berlin has long argued the term "Holocaust" should only be used to … [Read more...] about Germany’s Scholz slams Abbas’ ’50 Holocausts’ remark

BANGKOK: Arson attacks and explosions hit more than a dozen locations in Thailand's restive deep south on Wednesday, injuring seven people, authorities said. Officials said most of the targeted sites were convenience stores in petrol stations, all located in the provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. A low-level conflict has rumbled in Thailand's southernmost provinces since 2004, killing more than 7,000 people as militants in the Muslim-majority region battle for greater autonomy from the state. Seven people were slightly injured in the incidents, a statement from the military said, while police said they were gathering CCTV footage and other evidence. Authorities said the immediate motive for the wave of attacks was still unclear. Militants usually target symbols of the Thai state and its security forces. The coronavirus pandemic brought a lull in southern clashes between rebels and the military, but a six-day gun battle in October last year killed six people. The … [Read more...] about Multiple blasts, arson attacks hit restive Thai south

Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing plans to steal the show at his wedding to Sophie Habboo – by walking down the aisle ahead of her. The 33-year-old revealed he is planning “a big wedding” that Sophie's parents will be paying for and described how having his in-laws foot the bill for a lavish big day is “a great combo”. Jamie was speaking about his upcoming nuptials on Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett OBE's new weekly podcast, Dish. The reality TV star was being interviewed just weeks after fiancee Sophie accidentally revealed the date the pair would be tying the knot. Jamie Laing is making plans for 'a big wedding' to Sophie Habboo ( Image: jamielaing/Instagram) “I want the big wedding,” Jamie said in quotes reported by the Daily Mail . “And her parents are paying for it. It's a great combo. I want this. And in Spain, I found out that actually the groom can walk down the aisle first. “Because I want that moment when the doors open, and everyone goes... I'm … [Read more...] about Jamie Laing details big wedding plans and says Sophie Habboo’s parents will foot the bill

Fans of Millie Mackintosh have praised the star for opening up on her breastfeeding struggles. The Made In Chelsea star, 32, revealed she has stopped breastfeeding her three-month-old daughter Aurelia after she was suffering with severe mastitis. The condition causes inflammation and can lead to an infection of breast tissue. Often, sufferers deal with bad pain as well as swelling, warmth and redness of the area. Millie admitted that every time she tried to feed her daughter she was left "crying in pain". The mother of two also shares daughter Sienna, two, with her former TOWIE co-star Hugo Taylor and she uploaded images of herself alongside her youngest daughter on Instagram . In one snap, the reality TV star can be seen in tears while trying to feed the tot, before another shows her holding a pack a frozen peas to her chest in a bid to stop the pain. Millie Mackintosh opened up about her struggles with breastfeeding ( Image: Millie Mackintosh/Instagram) … [Read more...] about Millie Mackintosh praised by fans for her honesty as she stops breastfeeding

A woman who suffered a broken jaw when she was thrown off a fun fair ride has received a five-figure sum in damages. Jade Harrison, 24, spent four days in the hospital and had metal plates inserted in her face after she was flung from the Airmaxx 360 at Hull Fair in 2019. She has needed thousands of pounds worth of dental treatment and psychological support since the tragedy. The nursery nurse says she feels like she can finally put it behind her as her legal case has come to an end. She told Hull Live : “I’m a different person now to that one that got on that ride back in 2019. Jade Harrison was flung from a ride in 2019 ( Image: Stacy Jarvis) “Back then I had no fears and I was up for anything really, but now I am averse to anything that has an element of risk. That’s ok, I’ve adapted to that as I need to feel safe, but it limits what you can do with family and friends. “Simple fun things like jumping off the rocks into the sea on holiday. "I just … [Read more...] about Woman flung from fun fair ride wins payout and is now scared of doing ‘simple things’

Roman Kemp is set to open up about how he once contemplated suicide and his battle with depression since childhood in a new book. The Capital DJ will discuss the impact on his life after losing his best friend, Joe Lyons, the radio producer who launched his career, to suicide. ‘Are You Really OK?’ promises to lift the lid on Roman’s personal life in a bid to “smash the stigma still surrounding medication and mental health”. “I never intended to write a book at this age, I thought it was something I could perhaps do later in life,” said Roman. Are You Really Ok? is available to pre-order and will be released in October ( Image: Amazon) “But then, in the pandemic, my best mate Joe took his own life and it turned my whole world upside down. “Losing Joe made me start researching how many young men take their own lives every year.” Speaking of his research, he added: “And the answers shocked me. Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under the age of 40 … [Read more...] about Roman Kemp shares harrowing struggle with depression as he contemplated suicide

Roman Kemp has sung the praises of Love Island contestant Jacques O'Neill following his heart-wrenching display of emotions after he made the decision to quit the ITV2 dating show due to his mental health. Rugby player Jacques, 23, sensationally called time on his Love Island journey this week after admitting that he was struggling with his thoughts and feelings while cooped up in the villa with the other contestants. And although Jacques had found 'the best connection of his life' with Welsh bombshell Paige Thorne , he chose to go home in order to 'sort himself out' and 'get back to himself' in order to be his best self when Paige's time on Love Island eventually comes to an end. Love Island viewers were left sobbing as they watched Jacques say goodbye to his fellow islanders and his new best friend, Luca Bish as the boys hugged and cried on one another's shoulders before saying their final goodbyes. Following the outpour of emotion from Jacques and Luca, Capital FM's … [Read more...] about Roman Kemp praises Love Island’s Jacques for brave decision to quit show amid struggles

Published 1 hour ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A pop-up leisure centre for children with disabilities has launched a fundraising appeal to build a permanent base. Physiotherapist Stephanie Wheen set up Gympanzees four years ago when she saw the lack of facilities in Bristol. She said she gets "desperate calls" from parents asking them to run all year round. "It can be the only time families leave their house over the summer holidays," she said. "So it is vital we get this open." Ms Wheen said they have had 2,200 children coming through the centre over 24 days this summer, with the equipment helping to develop co-ordination, core strength and sensory awareness. Nine-year-old Isabella has cerebral palsy and cannot walk or speak but communicates using her eyes. She said: "My favourite place to go is Gympanzees, I have lots of fun." Her mum … [Read more...] about Fundraiser for permanent Gympanzees gym for disabled children